Morgantown, W.Va. (February 25, 2011) – The opening round of the 2011 AMA ATVMX Championship presented by DWT will kick off this weekend, February 26-27, at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga. The fastest four-wheeled ATV riders in the world will compete in round one to see who can claim the points lead early on in the 11-round series.

This nationally televised event on the VERSUS network is expected to draw nearly 800 riders. With a full-gate of ATV Pro riders for 2011, there is no telling who is going to claim the series championship.

Last year, Rockstar Yoshimura Suzuki’s duo of Josh Creamer and Dustin Wimmer grabbed first and second in the championship standings. This year a host of top riders, both up and coming stars and established veterans, are gunning for the title.

For example, Motoworks / Can-Am riders Chad Wienen and John Natalie were tough competitors in the series point chase for 2010 and both riders are looking to take the Championship this year. Wienen finished the season with a 3rd overall, leaving him with high hopes for the 2011 season.

“We at BRP are anticipating the 2011 race season to be the most successful yet for the Can-Am DS 450. Our Motoworks / Can-Am racers and team are ready to race for the Pro-class championship, and our stable of Can-Am X-Team support racers and the countless amateurs who are members of our Can-Am X-Team DS 450 Racer Support Program are ready to win as well,” said Can-Am Public Relations Manager Chaz Rice. “We look forward building upon the success of 2010 and cannot wait for the opener in Georgia,” Rice added.

There’s no telling who will show up fast and focused this weekend, so spectators are encouraged to get in early and scout the competition in the pro pits.

Aonia Pass is one of the largest off-road racing facilities in the southeast. The track is 1.7 miles long, 25-feet wide in most sections and professionally built and maintained.

Tickets on Saturday are $20 for spectators ($10 for ages 6-11), and admission includes full pro-pit access and an autograph session.

The pro riders will run as part of a full schedule of amateur racing, including classes for Youth, Women and Veteran riders. Amateurs will practice on Friday and race on Saturday and Sunday. Pros will practice on Friday and race on Saturday.

To get to the track from Atlanta, take I-20 East to Exit 160 (Hwy 223 Norwood Exit). Go left and travel on Hwy 223 until it dead-ends with Hwy 78. Turn right on Hwy 78. The venue is 2.5 miles down on your right (look for the big Aonia Pass Motoplex sign).

For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com